Editorial

Quintessentially Education has seen increased demand from both international and UK parents looking to avoid the stress of the 11+ for their children. It’s great to see our Head of Education, Jess Harris, sharing her expert insights with Absolutely Education, highlighting alternative avenues and schooling solutions designed to reduce stress for students and their families. 
 

Read the full interview here (page 72).

A Green Shoots and Grass Roots report found that many UK teenagers are more distressed by losing their phone than by detention or poor grades, highlighting strong emotional ties to devices and widespread use by age 16. While mental health is improving, especially among boys, girls and lower-income pupils continue to struggle, prompting calls for tailored support in schools. 
 

As part of wider deals between the UK and the EU, a new ‘youth experience’ mobility scheme for young nationals to work, study and travel between these regions has been agreed in principle. The deal includes a commitment to explore the UK’s rejoining of the Erasmus+ study exchange programme, though specifics such as the duration of stay are yet to be confirmed. 

The University of Birmingham and the University of Glasgow have partnered with JOBShaigui, a Chinese graduate career organisation, to support Chinese students returning home after studying in the UK. Part of wider efforts to enhance career prospects for international students, the initiative offers career services in China including seminars, guidance and networking opportunities. 

The UK government announced the introduction of new measures to expand mental health support in schools, aiming to reach one million more students in 2025. The proposed support will include specialist teams offering support sessions in 500 schools, and new ‘hubs’ for tackling attendance and behaviour at 90 schools.

A Level results at Excelsior Academy in Hackney, London improved from an average grade C to B in one academic year, after a school-wide ban on mobile phones. The policy, which includes confiscation for up to a week if phones are used in lessons, has reportedly improved student focus, behaviour and engagement. 

The UK government is trialling a new Education Record app with 95,000 GCSE students in Manchester and the West Midlands, allowing them to access their exam results digitally from 11:00am on Thursday, 21 August 2025. The Education Record app is part of wider plans to unify students' education records and reduce administrative and burdens and costs for colleges.

Illinois Institute of Technology is set to open a branch campus in Mumbai, India, with degree programmes in Computer Science, Engineering, and Business being offered from autumn 2026. Other universities with existing or planned campuses in India include the University of Southampton, University of Liverpool, Victoria University, and Istituto Europeo di Design.  

A survey by ParentPay Group found that students sitting GCSE exams this year were most affected by the Covid pandemic, having faced disruptions at the end of primary and start of secondary education. Teachers reported greater learning gaps, emotional fragility and reduced focus in this cohort, with consequences including poor behaviour, mental health challenges, and reduced attendance. 

Harvard College has announced that newly admitted international undergraduate students may defer their acceptance or retain an additional offer from a non-US higher education institution, citing recent government developments that may affect their matriculation. The temporary policy revision provides greater flexibility as Harvard University works to support international students amid ongoing uncertainties.

 The Carnegie Classification of Higher Education has introduced a new Institutional Classification as well as a Student Access and Earnings Classification for US higher education institutions. Nearly 500 US institutions are now recognised as ‘Opportunity Colleges and Universities’ which provide high access and strong post-graduation earnings. 

It’s great to see Jess Harris, our Head of Education, featured in Independent School Management (ISM) magazine. She shared her expert advice on what international HNW families look for when choosing a UK school for their children, and what schools can do to appeal to this audience. 

Read the full feature here (page 14). 

A website backed by the UK government, Starting Reception, has been launched to help parents understand the key skills children should develop before starting school, such as brushing their teeth twice a day and using cutlery. The campaign aims to improve school readiness across England by providing guidance and resources for families. 

Lomond School in Helensburgh, Scotland, has become the first in the UK to accept tuition fees in bitcoin, responding to requests from both local and international families. While all bitcoin payments will initially be converted into British pounds, the initiative is part of Lomond’s broader efforts to remain innovative and financially resilient. 

Harrow School is opening its first US campus in New York, with pupils to be admitted from September 2025. The school will offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum and will be open to both boys and girls. Other international campuses within the Harrow family of schools are located in Thailand, Hong Kong, mainland China and more.